I agree completely, Laurance. It is just part of being human – we are more a rationalising species than a rational one.

At least the scientific community has procedures of continuous peer review and the requirement to match ideas against reality which, to some extent, limits the effects of cherry-picking and confirmation bias. Politcal activism, however, usually has little more than group thinking to control confirmation bias.

Actually we are human and it is challenging to review the other view. That is one reason I read the letters and comments section. Of course, it is even more challenging to review the other view… when it’s bollocks.

In science, of course, peer review is important but at least as important is a questioning attitude; to question everything…and everyone. There are no authorities only evidence. Within reason, of course.

(I do my best to walk the talk. As time goes on I am changing my view on GE and Nuclear power because humanity will need all our options if we are to avoid the ongoing climate, biodiversity, over-development and population crunches. And because my reading of the evidence is that the problems have been over hyped).